SEC Filings

<PAGE> 217
CCA GROUP
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Effective December 23, 1998, Paul G. Allen acquired 94% of Charter through
a series of transactions. In conjunction with Mr. Allen's acquisition, Charter
acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of CCA Holdings, CCT Holdings and CC-LB
on December 23, 1998.
In 1998, CCE-I provided cable television service to customers in
Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Hampshire, CCE-II
provided cable television service to customers in California and LBAC provided
cable television service to customers in Long Beach, California, and certain
surrounding areas.
CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 1997,
cash equivalents consist primarily of repurchase agreements. These investments
are carried at cost that approximates market value.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost, including all direct and
certain indirect costs associated with the construction of cable television
transmission and distribution facilities, and the cost of new customer
installation. The costs of disconnecting a residence are charged to expense in
the period incurred. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to
expense as incurred, and equipment replacement costs and betterments are
capitalized.
Depreciation is provided on the straight-line basis over the estimated
useful lives of the related assets as follows:

In 1997, the Company shortened the estimated useful lives of certain property,
plant and equipment for depreciation purposes. As a result, additional
depreciation of $8,123 was recorded during 1997.
FRANCHISES
Costs incurred in obtaining and renewing cable franchises are deferred and
amortized over the lives of the franchises. Costs relating to unsuccessful
franchise applications are charged to expense when it is determined that the
efforts to obtain the franchise will not be successful. Franchise rights
acquired through the purchase of cable television systems represent the excess
of the cost of properties acquired over the amounts assigned to net tangible
assets at date of acquisition and are amortized using the straight-line method
over 15 years.
OTHER ASSETS
Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the
related debt. The interest rate cap costs are being amortized over the terms of
the agreement, which approximates three years.
F-61